The 2018 School Year is Over!

Thanks to you, EarthSkills has experienced the best year in its history! Students traveled from Florida and New York, from Texas to Tennessee to earn their wilderness confidence.

The 2018 school year is over and we are now working on the 2019 class schedule introducing two new classes. Please visit us again in December, 2018 for our exciting class schedule.

​EarthSkills now offers private family and group sessions. Please use the "Contact" tab to get your private classes going. In addition, popular classes are also offered on multiple dates (in red). Please visit often as workshops will be added throughout the year. Please contact at newearthskills@gmail.com for more info.

A student's minimum age requirement is 13 years old when accompanied by a paying guardian.​

February 10From Bark to Rope: Making Cordage (3 hours)$15 (Nonrefundable)​Registration closes February 3You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.​ 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. As one of the common items we use in our daily lives, cordage (string, twine and rope) plays a significant roll in wilderness self-reliance. Early people used natural materials for this purpose to create the tools and other implements that enabled them to make shelter, hunt, trap and snare animals for food and clothing. As a matter of survival, it’s no wonder why the skill to make cordage is one of the top-10 skills to master! In this easy 2-hour workshop students are provided with the natural materials they need to learn the reverse wrap method to make cordage the primitive way.

February 24Build a Bow Drill & Make Fire (CLASS FULL)$49if registered by February 3.$65 thereafter.​Registration closes February 17.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.​ Take a whole day to learn to make and use a bow drill in this relaxed setting. First, students will learn to handle this primitive firemaking tool and teach their body correct position and process. Slowly, the class will be guided to making their tinder bundle to catch the bow drill’s ember. Then, when they’re ready, they’ll have personal help in making their first primitive fire! After a lunch break, class instruction will then turn to the harvesting of the materials and making a bow drill of their own.

March 10Introduction to Animal Tracking (CLOSED)$59if registered by February 20.$75 thereafter.​Registration closes March 3.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tracking skills have been passed down through generations of hunters and woodsmen. As a result of the knowledge of the local animal inhabitants indigenous people were enabled to defend themselves from predators and hunt what they needed to survive. The best way to master this expertise is by actually experiencing it in the field. Learn to be more aware of the animals that make their home in your woods; what they eat; where they live, play and sleep. Integrate yourself naturally into your environment when you learn this ancient art of tracking and habitat awareness. This introductory class offers students the basics for tracking animals successfully. Students will learn to identify species by using expert techniques, guidebooks and other tools to gain knowledge and understanding of the ecology of the animals. This class is for outdoors people of all skill levels. Join us to view nature with different eyes.

Two dates: April 28 or May 5 (CLASS FULL)Identify & Forage Edible Plants (1 day)$70if registered by April 7 or April 14 for the May class.$85 thereafter.Registration closes April 21, or April 28 for the May class.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.​9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Since the beginning, forests and fields everywhere have provided mankind with food to eat and medicines to help us stay healthy. From your own back yard to the deep forests, nutrition can be found almost everywhere! Join EarthSkills to be led on an informative plant identification walk to discover, harvest and study some of the seasonal roots, leaves, and flowers that nature provides as food and medicine. Students will explore fields, forests, and transitional zones to find and discuss the nutritional value of plants, mindful harvesting practices and how to prepare plants for food and medicine.

May 19-20Make a Bow & Arrows (2 days) (CLOSED)$200if registered by April 28.$240 thereafter.Registration closes May 12.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.

​ 9 a.m. Saturday to 4:30 p.m. Sunday A wooden bow and its arrow projectiles is the sniper system of the primitive world. Its lethal use is historically linked to the user’s stealth, skill and physical prowess. With this tool, early civilizations acquired the means of obtaining food and defending their small communities from enemies and predators — both from a more comfortable distance. Constructing a bow and arrow capable of this feat is no easy task. The student must understand which materials in the wilderness are best to use and also have a understanding of the fabrication process. The result is a powerful and accurate hunting system. Students will identify and harvest a tree for use as your bow stave, as well as saplings and river cane for their arrows. Using bone, wild feathers and other natural materials, students will learn how to use fire to straighten and construct deadly arrows. Be aware: this class is certain to fill fast. This is a full, two-day session and breakfast is included. B.Y.O.T. (Bring your own tent).

June 23​Make Baskets & Cordage the Native Way (CLASS FULL)$59if registered by June 2.$79 thereafter.Registration closes June 16.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The art of basket making is at least 10,000 years old, predating the use of sediments and fire to make clay pottery. It is the oldest and most widespread craft known to human civilization. Mankind has used baskets to carry items, collect food articles and used extensively even in the preparation of food including cooking. As one of the common items we use in our daily lives, cordage (string, twine and rope) plays a significant roll in wilderness self-reliance. Early people used natural materials for this purpose to create the tools and other implements that enabled them to make shelter, hunt, trap and snare animals for food and make clothing. As a matter of survival, it’s no wonder why the skill to make cordage is one of the top-10 skills to master! Join nationally celebrated Nancy Basket (yes, that’s her real name) in this two-part class to learn two seemingly different, but related, skills. First, students will receive natural materials like kudzu and pine straw and watch and follow the master basket weaver to create your own basket. After a lunch break, students will explore the reverse wrap method of turning tree bark into strong cordage: useful for binding, bows, traps and many other uses in outdoor living.

June 30​Trapping Fish and Small Game (1 day)​ (CLOSED)$75if registered by June 9.$95 thereafter.Registration closes June 23.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.​ Time and energy conservation are two of the most important considerations in any wilderness situation when the need for protein and high-calorie food becomes imperative. With the trap-building knowledge you gain in this class, you can become a one-person hunting party — while you sleep! Learn how to make cordage for your traps; build a native fish trap and a primitive Paiute trap. In addition, we’ll cover the use of man-made materials to create traps. Also, we’ll practice the finer strategies for placing the traps you make. Students will learn to identify animal and fish habitats and how to use that knowledge to increase the likelihood of capturing wild game. Animals are not captured or hurt as a consequence of this class. Bring your bag lunch and drinks and enjoy this unique, intermediate level class.

August 4-5Camouflage, Movement and Stalking (2 days) (CLOSED)$135 if registered by July 14.$175 thereafter.Registration closes July 28.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.

9 a.m. Saturday to 4:30 p.m. Sunday​ Learning Objectives: Self-camouflage, environmental awareness, observation, movement techniques, stalking. Since the dawn of time mankind has manipulated his appearance to remain unnoticed during a hunt or in battle. Years of careful observation taught him the methods of wolves and other predators to understand and mimic how they stalked prey. He also learned the significance of weather, sound and light and how it affected noise and movement. Understood was the notion that his stealth and self-discipline was the ultimate act between a feast or starvation; perhaps even life or death. This intermediate 2-day class will cover the aspects of self-camouflage using only natural materials found in any wilderness environment. Students will also learn Native American movement techniques that allows them to travel unnoticed for the hunt, defense, or in combat. More than smearing mud on your body; students will experience challenging, but fun, practical excercies that will hone their newfound skills. Whether you’re a hunter, wildlife observer or enjoy a very intimate union with nature, this class is for you.

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ​ Early man perhaps discovered fire from a lightening strike. No one really knows for sure. What we do know is that since that event mankind has developed dozens of methods for roasting meats, vegetables and curing their game for long-term storage.​ In this single day class students will be introduced to three methods of preparing food without the use of modern tools. The class will create a smoker rack, rock oven and steam pit and then given the raw food to prepare and be carefully placed unto the heat. The best part: a delicious and nutritious meal for all!

October 13 (CLASS FULL)Identify & Forage Edible Plants (Fall, 1 day)$70if registered by September 22 .$85 thereafter.Registration closes October 6.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.​​9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Since the beginning, forests and fields everywhere have provided mankind with food to eat and medicines to help us stay healthy. From your own back yard to the deep forests, nutrition can be found almost everywhere! Join EarthSkills to be led on an informative plant identification walk to discover, harvest and study some of the seasonal roots, leaves, and flowers that nature provides as food and medicine. Students will explore fields, forests, and transitional zones to find and discuss the nutritional value of plants, mindful harvesting practices and how to prepare plants for food and medicine.

October 27Create Fire! (1 day) (CLOSED)$75if registered by October 6.$95 thereafter.Registration closes October 20.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.​9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fire: it has been called “the foundation of human civilization”. It provides warmth, light and protection. It cooks our food, makes water safe to drink and helps keep away the creepies throughout the night. It’s no wonder why this is the most important survival skill to know! Go beyond learning to make fire using the bow drill. This class will empower you with the knowledge and skills to identify and gather fire-making materials; learn to identify and create tinder material; find and use accelerators, both natural and man-made; create a spark with stones and make fire even in the most adverse weather conditions. The class will take a short hike through the woods to learn to identify, gather, process and ignite nature’s fire-starters with various techniques.

November 7Survival Knife Skills (CLOSED)$75if registered by October 31.$95 thereafter.Registration closes October 24.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Unquestionably, the number one tool in wilderness survival. Learn to use your knife to obtain the basic essentials in bush craft: fire, shelter, procuring food and water. From the basics of design, to personal knife modifications, to employing your knife in making tools that will help you flourish in the wilderness. You will learn the most important cuts to fashion traps, deadfalls and wooden tools for use around the camp and in the field. Finally, students will also learn how to use natural and man-made materials for honing their knives back into a safe and efficient tool. Lunch not provided. Bring your bag lunch and drinks and enjoy this special, beginners to intermediate level class.

November 8-9​The Fundamental Wilderness Skills (CLOSED)$195if registered by October 20.$230 thereafter.Registration closes November 3.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.​ 8:30 a.m. Thursday to 5 p.m. Friday For anyone who wants to learn wilderness living, this is the first class to take! Learn the four essentials of survival in this two and a half day, overnight class: how to create fire, shelter, disinfect water and forage for food. Designed for experienced outdoorsmen and novices alike, this class will familiarize the student with the empowering skill of creating fire using friction — the most important skill to know in the wild! Location, location, location: What is true in real estate is also true for survival. Students are introduced to the shelter lesson portion where students will work as a team to construct a warm and dry debris hut. How long can you go without food or water? How do you find it? Is it safe to eat or drink? The purpose of this lesson is to familiarize students with methods of obtaining food and water in a wilderness environment. This course will familiarize you with harvesting food — from insects and small game to edible plants. No, you will not be eating insects, unless you want to, of course. Students will build a deadfall for small game using only the material found in nature. The class will be familiarized with identifying and sampling common edible plants that are abundant everywhere — even in your own backyard! Finally, students will learn various ways to find and purify water: from natural sunshine to your own, self-made water filter. Breakfast is included. B.Y.O.T. (Bring your own tent).

November 10-11 (CLOSED)​5 Ways to Meat: Tools & Trapping Intensive (2.5 days)$195if registered by October 20.$230 thereafter.Registration closes November 3.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.

8:30 a.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. SundayEvery primitive society developed their own methods of harvesting wild game as an important part of their diet. Naturally, hundreds of successful techniques have been handed-down through the generations. Now, it’s your turn to learn five of these skills! In this 2-night session, students will become proficient with at least five different tools, snares and traps and learn how to employ them: from the crawfish trap to the A-snare for medium game. This intermediate, in-depth course will challenge you to find the natural materials needed to create these useful implements from the forest around you. You will also learn the proper use and employment strategies that delivers a high-protein meal for yourself and others. This class is two and a half days long beginning midday on a Friday and ending Sunday afternoon. Animals are not captured or hurt as a consequence of this class. Join us today to get in on learning these life-sustaining skills and enjoy the fellowship of overnight camping with a small group of like-minded people. Breakfast is included. B.Y.O.T. (Bring your own tent).

November 7-11 (CLOSED)Wilderness Living Essentials (5 days. Last class.)$495if registered by October 20.$540 thereafter.Registration closes November 3.You may choose to buy multiple tickets when you go to check out.​ 8:30 A.M. Wed. to 3 P.M. Sun. This wilderness immersion course will take the student through three classes in 5 days. Offered here is the popular Survival Knife Skills; Fundamental Wilderness Skills & the 5 Ways to Meat Intensive classes all rolled into one single 5-day session with a twist. Great way to catch up on missed classes during the cool, fall days! Learn fundamental through expert knife tasks; earn the confidence of providing your own shelter and creating a friction fire; experience a journey through the woods foraging for wild edibles, sources of water and how to make it consumable; find the material around you to craft devices to capture meat for your dinner. The more you know, the less you carry! This beginner through intermediate class will empower the student with a lightweight solution to surviving in the wilderness. Animals are not captured or hurt as a consequence of this class.